's become the amazing story of what happened here ithis remarkable courtroom in the heartofamerica. thefight here to uphold truth, find justice and perhaps undo a drdful lie. >> i don't want to die knowing that i did the wrong thing. >> reporter: this is the dreamer. his name is chuck erickson. >> i couldn't remember that night. >> reporter: and this the subject, or should we say, casualty of his dream. his name is ryan ferguson. perhaps you've heard about his story. we've told it right here on "dateline." but what's happened since, what's happened changes everything. you can see it in motion here at this rarest of legal happening. as our tortured dreamer relis the bizarre tale that began that strange, dark, confusing night. >> i couldn't remember going home. i couldn't remember leaving the club. >> reporter: the club. yes. that's where it all began. so puzzling. the events of that night back in 2001. a rare full moon on halloween, a college town, columbia, missouri, ryan ferguson and chuck erickson both at 17 considerably underage had gained entry to a college bar, a hangout name